Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Holy Thursday - April 1, 2021

Exodus 12:1-8,11-14,

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

John 13:1-15

 In the next three days which is called Tridium, we shall  be celebrating the most important event in the Catholic faith. Today being Holy Holy Thursday, we celebrate three events, namely; the institution of the Holy Eucharist,  the institution of the Catholic Priesthood and the command to love and serve one another. Jesus instituted all these before being captured for an execution which we shall mark Tomorrow being Good Friday. We are therefore encouraged to spend sometime with Jesus this evening as he is captured to be executed on Friday. On Saturday night, we will be getting ready for Easter to celebrate his victory over death, hence our salvation attained.

In the first reading of today, we see the Jewish celebration of the passover which originated from the Old Testament. We remember that the last plague in Egypt before the Israelites were allowed to go was the death of all the first born Egyptian sons. God had commanded Moses to instruct the Israelites to kill a  year old lamb and use the blood to mark their door posts. With this mark, the angel of death passed over their houses. It is this passover which marked their salvation from Egypt that all Jews come to Jerusalem every year to celebrate.

It was this passover that Jesus was also celebrating in the gospel reading of today, nevertheless, instead of killing a lamb to celebrate it, Jesus decided to offer himself as the new everlasting sacrifice to take our sins away. Before dying on the cross for us tomorrow, he will first of all give us his body and blood as a sacrifice for our sins today.

In the gospel reading of today, we see Jesus giving us his body and blood as our new paschal sacrifice. With the institution of the Holy Eucharist today, we no longer need lambs to  atone for our sins every day like the Jews because Jesus has done it once and for all through the sacrifice of the cross.

In the same gospel reading of today, after instituting the sacrifice of the Mass, he told his disciples to do same always in memorial of his sacrifice of the cross. The mass therefore is our new passover in an unbloody manner, we do not kill lambs again to mark it because Jesus has become our Pascal Lamb.

For the mass to continue to be celebrated, Jesus instructed his Apostles to continue to celebrate it. With this injunction, it means that priests will be needed to celebrate the sacrifice of the Holy Mass. Today therefore is the birthday of all priests. You can wish your priests happy birthday today and celebrate them. The priesthood is a priceless gift God has given to Man. We must respect and cherish this gift. If there is no priest, there is no sacrament.

Peter could not understand why Jesus the master was washing the feet of his disciples, no wonder he refused Jesus to wash his feet. He was therefore made to understand that his call to be a priest and offer the sacrifice of the Mass for the people is to be done in humility, and to remember that he is called to serve the people of God.

Let us therefore celebrate and thank God for these gifts today; the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Orders. Let us do this thanksgiving in sober reflection, as we keep watch with Jesus tonight as he is about to give his life as our new Passover. Amen

 Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Monday, March 29, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week - March 30, 2021

TUESDAY 30TH MARCH 2021

TUESDAY OF HOLY WEEK

Isaiah 49:1-6

John 13:21-33,36-38

ONE OF YOU WILL BETRAY ME

How many of us have experienced moments of betrayal? You trust so much in someone, tells the person everything about yourself and at the end of the day, you discover that the person was never a friend. We can only imagine what is going on in the mind of Jesus at this very moment as he approaches the hour of his death. Yesterday, he went to the house of Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha, just to experience some love from them.

Jesus had spent 3 years with his disciples and he had thought them the things of the kingdom. He has already accepted to lay down his life for our sake, but it is very painful if the one who is to betray him is one of his disciples whom he had taught for the past three years. There have been many arguments as to why Judas will betray Jesus. Was it his love for money? Did he think that Jesus will use that opportunity to perform another miracle and start a revolution that will overthrow Rome? If we make excuses for Judas, what excuse do we have for Peter who Jesus knows too that he will deny him?

We can only imagine how alone Jesus is feeling right now. He knows that he will soon die, but that a close friend will betray him and all his friends will desert him is very disheartening. You know your true friends in moments of crisis.

In psalm 55:12, the psalmist says that if an enemy does what is wrong, it is easier to bear because there was no expectation of a good act, but it is a friend of Jesus who eats and speaks with him every day and knows all his ways that betrayed him.

If you can stand with someone during moments of enjoyment and pleasure, you should also be a good friend and be there during pain and suffering.

Lord, save us from the hands of fake friends who are only there when things are moving well, but ready to sell us for a penny or deny us at the slightest perception of pain. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Palm Sunday Year B - March 28, 2021

PALM/PASSION SUNDAY

Mark 11:1-10

Isaiah 50:4-7

Phil 2:6-11

Mark 14:1-15:47

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD

Today we begin the celebration of the most important event of human salvation. It is the most important season in the Catholic Church as God died so that man will be saved. This week is called holy week because henceforth till the day of Easter, we are going to concentrate more closely on the mystery of the passion, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the event by which he wrought our salvation.

In the reading of yesterday, we saw that as Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the scribes and pharisees concluded that he must die because he was getting too popular among the people. The disciples warned Jesus that the Jews, especially the scribes and pharisees have been looking for him to put him to death. In the gospel readings during the weekdays since last Sunday, we see how they have been looking for various ways to catch him and kill him, but he had kept eluding them. Jesus was therefore warned by his disciples not to go near Jerusalem, except he was ready to die.

In the gospel reading of today, we see that Jesus, willingly entered Jerusalem despite the dangers that awaited him. He did not even sneak into the city, but decided to announce his coming by climbing a donkey as a king. It will not be long that he will enter the country that the news will go round and false accusations will be coming in, just in the quest to get rid of him. When this will happen, all those who are welcoming Jesus as King, will turn and ask that he  be crucified.

In the first reading of today, we see how the prophet Isaiah describes the suffering servant who is Jesus. He willingly gave up his life to die, though he did not do anything wrong. All false accusations were brought against him, but he did not say a word, and he did not defend himself. He willingly gave up his life because he knew that it was the only way he could save us from our sins and take us back to our God.

In the second reading, St Paul tells us that Jesus is God, but for our sake, he became man. Instead of claiming equality with God and asserting himself on earth, he emptied himself and looked like a slave, like a common man. Even when Jesus entered Jerusalem as a king today, he identified with the common man by using a donkey which is meant for the poor, instead of the horse which the rich use.

In the long passion narrative, we see, just as we will see in the coming days, how Jesus gave up his life so that we will win back our life.

We are therefore called to be more serious with the meaning of our salvation as we approach the Easter season. The week is a holy week and it should be kept holy. Our salvation is closer to us now than before.

May we benefit graciously from the mystery of this season, so that we may experience the joy of Easter.

 

Lord, you willingly entered Jerusalem to die for my sins, may I by the help of your grace, truly repent from my sins and look up to you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Friday, March 26, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 5 of Lent - March 27, 2021

SATURDAY 27TH MARCH 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Ezekiel 37:21-28

John 11:45-56

IT IS BETTER FOR HIM TO DIE ON OUR BEHALF THAN FOR US ALL TO PERISH

There is a saying that if you want to kill a dog, you give it a bad name. People find good reasons to justify what they have done or are about to do. If you hate someone so much, nothing of what he/she does, no matter how good it is, will make any good sense to you. You will always read negative meanings into whatever they do.

In the gospel reading of today, we see that the Jews are looking at Jesus with scorn and disdain despite the good things he was doing. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead, and many people came to rejoice with the family, but that was a moment of worry for the scribes and pharisees. They felt that Jesus was becoming too popular among the people and needs to be eliminated.

The words of Caiaphas in the gospel reading is very prophetic. The Jews are ready to kill Jesus not because of what he has done or fear of the Romans, but so that all of us will not perish. Jesus therefore is ready to die on our behalf, and tomorrow, he will see him enter triumphantly into Jerusalem for that purpose.

Lord, help us to appreciate the death of Jesus on our behalf by the way we live our lives. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 5 of Lent - March 26, 2021

FRIDAY 26TH MARCH 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Jeremiah 20:10-13

John 10:31-42

Have you ever been in a situation where everyone seem to be against you? Have you seen all those who are your friends suddenly turn to be your enemy? Have you ever felt alone in the world as if no one cares? Many people who have entered depression and have committed suicide have gone through this feeling in life. The first reading of today gives us a picture of what Jesus is passing through at this moment. He has fallen out with the chief priest and scribes of the people, the pharisees see him as an enemy who deserves to die.

The gospel reading presents to us an altercation between Jesus and the Jews who are ignorant of what is happening. People may sometimes be committing evil, but those who incite them can convince them that they are doing the right thing.

The Jews obeyed the law and held it so tenaciously, the name of God (YAHWEH) was held holy and not to be pronounced. It was therefore a sacrilege and blasphemy for Jesus to claim to be the Son of this God. As they picked up stone to kill him today, they thought they were fighting for God, not knowing that they were wrong and were merely incited by the elders of the people.

It is a lesson for us as Christians, not to let ourselves be incited against anyone, but to ask God for his grace and direction to discern properly. Jesus may not have been killed today, but his time is very near at hand. He will not hesitate to accept the death when it comes.

Lord, help us to recognize you in what you have done for us, may no selfish opinion of others lead us away from you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 5 of Lent - March 25, 2021

THURSDAY 25TH MARCH 2021

SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

Isaiah 7:10-14,8:10

Psalm 39:7-11

Hebrew 10:4-10

Luke 1:26-38

A VIRGIN IS WITH CHILD

The solemnity of the Annunciation celebrates the beginning of our salvation. St Paul  tells us in Gal 4:4, that at the fullness of time, God sent his son, born of a woman under the law, to take away our sins. The first reading of today recounts the moment  of crisis in Israel, when God promised to send his son to save them from oppression and sin. King Ahaz was about to go to war against their enemies, and he was tempted to go and seek alliance with other nations to defeat their enemy, but the prophet Isaiah told him to depend on God, for he is the only one who can save them.

As a sign that God is ready to save us, the prophet Isaiah told them that a virgin is with child and will give birth and name him Emmanuel, which means God is with us. God is truly with us in moments of fear and uncertainty.

This prophecy of Isaiah comes to pass in the gospel reading of today. It is exactly 9 months to Christmas, and the Angel Gabriel announces the plan of God to the virgin Mary that she is the virgin spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, who is to be the mother of the saviour of the world. Mary expresses her willingness to carry God in her womb and give birth on Christmas day.

As St Paul tells us in the second reading, God had prepared a body (the blessed virgin Mary) for his son to accomplish this mission of saving us. Since our mother Mary said yes and accepted to be the mother of our saviour, we are assured of our salvation, and God who is always with us will save us from whatever threatens us. Let us therefore continue to hope and trust in God, because he alone is our salvation.

Lord, save us from all that threatens us. Help us to look up to you, for in you is our help and salvation. Amen

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 5 of Lent - March 24, 2021

WEDNESDAY 24TH MARCH 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Daniel 3:14-20,24-25,28

John 8:31-42

LET YOUR WILL BE DONE

Many of us profess faith in God, we profess to be ready to die with him. Peter for example had told Jesus that he was ready to die with him. When peter was eventually faced with death, he quickly denied Jesus.

The story of Shedrach, Meshack and Abednego is a very popular one among Christians. They did not only profess their faith in God, but they were ready to die. They said that they believe that God is very close to them, and he will save them; nevertheless, even if God does not save them, they would still remain faithful. This goes a long way to show that they were ready to accept the will of God for their lives.

Many of us have lost our faith in God because we did not get what we prayed for,  we think that God has abandoned us. Like these three Jewish men, we should believe in God whether our expected miracle happens or not. When we have prayed and fasted, let us tell God to let his will be done in our lives. Let us be open to the possibility of things not happening exactly as we plan.

Lord, help me to accept your will in my life, may I remain faithful to you, even in the midst of death. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 5 of Lent - March 23, 2021

TUESDAY 23RD MARCH 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Numbers 21:4-9

John 8:21-30

LOOK UP TO JESUS FOR YOUR SALVATION

It is often said that we do not know the value of what we have until we lose it. In the first reading, we see how the Jews never knew how much God had done for them until they tasted the other side of life. Sometimes we complain about a lot of things and think that we deserve more, it is only when the things we have are taken away from us that we discover that we were merely privileged. The Jews did not count their complain as a rebellion and a sin until God decided to allow them taste what life is like without him. As we see, life without God, means misery and death.

Jesus in the gospel reading tried to make the Jews to also understand that he is the source of our salvation, all that he said and did, are for our own good. Just as it was in the case of Moses when the Jews never appreciated God until they were being beaten by snakes, the Jews never regarded Jesus even after his death. Jesus tells us today that just as the bronze serpent made by Moses and raised up brought salvation to the people of Israel in the desert, he is also about to go away to the father; but if we look up to him who will be hanged on the cross as we will see on good Friday next week, we shall be saved.

Lord, help us to appreciate all that you have done for us. Do not allow us to experience misery and death before we acknowledge your graciousness in our lives. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 5 of Lent - March 22, 2021

MONDAY 22ND MARCH 2021

FIFTH WEEK OF LENT

Daniel 13:1-9,15-17,19-30,33-62

John 8:1-11

NEITHER WILL I CONDEMN YOU

Some cultures and traditions as we know and may have experienced, do not really work in favour of women. A young lady worked up to me recently, saying that she was tired of the way her parents were monitoring and restricting her movements, whereas her brothers could be away from home for a long time and no one would bother.

Women are indeed very vulnerable, and could bear a lot of things in silence so as to keep their good names.

In the first reading of today, Sussana was convicted of adultery, whereas she was innocent. The question I ask myself is whether her husband Joakim would have been treated the same way if he was the one accused of the crime. In the gospel reading, we see a woman who was caught in the act of adultery, brought to Jesus. The same question again is, where is the man he committed adultery with? Some people even speculate that the scribes and pharisees who brought the woman to Jesus, may have done so out of hatred just like the case of the first reading.

The scenario in both readings show vividly that God is very alert in the midst if injustice and unjust judgements. God sent Daniel to rescue the situation in the first reading, and Jesus himself had mercy on the woman  and acquainted her in the gospel reading. Though the woman was spared, she may live with the shame and disgrace for a long time. Many people who have heard that Sussana had committed adultery, may not hear the correct version that she is innocent.

Let us  therefore be conscious of what we say about people, let us not allow the need for human gratification lead us to sin.

Lord, help me not to commit slander out of jealousy. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Friday, March 19, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 4 of Lent - March 20, 2021

SATURDAY 20TH MARCH 2021

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Jeremiah 11:18-20

John 7:40-52

NO ONE HAS EVER SPOKEN LIKE HIM

As we draw close to the passion of Christ, we see that the Jews are looking for every accusation to put him to death. The first reading presents us with a scenario where the Chief Priest and the Pharisees sent police to arrest Jesus, saying that he had claimed to be a prophet,  whereas,  prophets do not come from Galilee. When the police heard all that was been said of him by the crowd, and hearing Jesus preach, they returned to the Pharisees without arresting Jesus, saying that Jesus  was innocent, and no one has ever spoken like him.

The action of the police today is very captivating, it showed that they did not just act on the orders of the Chief Priest and Pharisees, but went to found things out for themselves. This was also the concern of Nicodemus, that people should not be condemned without hearing from them.

Sometimes we judge people and condemn them, not because of what they have done to us, but what others have told us about them. It is  very important that we experience people and form our own opinion about them rather than act on hearsay.

Jeremiah shows us also in the first reading, that evil plans against the innocent, attracts God's vengeance.

Lord, help me not to condemn and judge people prematurely. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Thursday, March 18, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 4 of Lent - March 19, 2021

FRIDAY 19TH MARCH 2021

SOLEMNITY OF ST JOSEPH THE HUSBAND OF MARY

2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16, Romans 4:13,16-18,22, Matthew 1:16,18-21,24.

HE LISTENED TO THE VOICE OF GOD AND ACTED ACCORDINGLY

On 8th December 1870, Pope Pius IX in his Apostolic Letter Quemadmodum Deum, had proclaimed St Joseph the patron of the Universal Church. This is after much reflection as to the role he played in our salvation history as the guardian of Jesus and Mary, and of the entire church. On 8th December 2020, in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde, Pope Francis declared 8th December 2020 to 8th December 2021 as the year of St Joseph to mark the 150th anniversary of his declaration as the patron of the universal church by Pope Pius IX.

God's promise of his son to us was a prophecy that was reechoed by many prophets. They all said that God promised that at the appointed time, he will send his son, born of a woman into our world.

In the first reading of today, we hear the prophecy of samuel who God sent to inform David that the promised messiah will be from his lineage. Joseph therefore is the one who as the foster father of Jesus, makes this prophecy come to pass in the gospel reading. The genealogy of Jesus is traced from Abraham to David, and from David to Joseph the husband of Mary. Joseph is not just the foster father of Jesus but the one prepared by God to fulfill his promise. Jesus did not just regard Joseph as his foster father, and Joseph did not just perform the role of a foster father. He treated Jesus and Mary as his biological family. We see it at the very beginning when he refused to disgrace Mary for being pregnant  by the power of the Holy Spirit before they came to live together. When Herod was after Jesus, he took him to Egypt to protect him and Mary. As a carpenter, he laboured to care for his family, and he brought up Jesus in the right way according to the Jewish culture and religion.

Joseph is therefore a model of a virtuous and perfect gentleman we should all emulate today. In the celebration of the Eucharist, he is honoured and asked for intercession immediately the name of Mary is mentioned. We pray for all those who bear the name Joseph today, and we pray for ourselves too, that just like Joseph the husband of Mary, we may be ready to listen to the voice of God and abide by it. Amen.

Lord, help me to carry out the work you have given to me judiciously. May I never disappoint you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 4 of Lent - March 18, 2021

THURSDAY 18TH MARCH 2021

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

xodus 32:7-14

John 5:31-47

GOD IS A PRESENT IN OUR HEARTS

In the practice of our Christian faith, we always want to have something tangible to hold on to as a sign of the presence of God in our lives. In most if not all catholic homes, we see an altar which reminds us of the presence of God in our homes. Most people who practice traditional religion have something in their homes to show that the gods are with them.

The people of Israel could not understand with Moses that God loves and cares for them, yet they cannot see or hear from God. This was why in the first reading of today, they decided to make a golden calf to represent God in their midst. Many of us Christians are faced with this dilemma also; we sometimes want to see or hear from God physically.

In the gospel reading, we see Jesus who is the visible image of God, yet the same Jews did not believe in him. The Jews believed in the prophets, Moses and even saw John the Baptist as a prophet; since Jesus attacked some of their hypocritical lives and teaching, they saw him as an enemy, and that he could not have come from God.

Some Christians today still look for tangible elements to represent God in their lives, some the altar, some the bible, some use the rosary and other religious articles. God truly reaches out to us through these articles and the sacraments. Nevertheless, the best place to personally find God, is our hearts. Listen to him, and you will hear and see him.

Lord help me to see and hear you within me. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 4 of Lent - March 17, 2021

WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH 2021

FEAST OF ST PATRICK (The second patron of Nigeria)

1 Peter 4:7-11,

Luke 5:1-11

COME AND FOLLOW ME

In the gospel reading of today,  Jesus demonstrates that it is not enough for us to sit and listen to the word of God, we are also to go out and preach the word to others. As Jesus finished preaching today, he called peter, James and John to follow  him to spread the good news to others who have not heard it. We all are also called to participate in the spreading of the gospel in whatever way we can. They left everything behind and followed him.

St Patrick who we celebrate today is well known for his Missionary prowess. In some books, he is called St Patrick the Missionary. He was captured at the age of 16 by Irish invaders and he became a slave in Ireland for about 6 years. When he was able to escape, he entered the monastery and was later trained for the priesthood and was later consecrated bishop. Forgetting all the slavery and humiliation he passed through as a slave in Ireland, Patrick decided to go back to Ireland to preach the gospel to them. Though it was a very tough mission for Patrick, his understanding of the Irish people and culture when he was a slave was very helpful to him. He is today the patron saint of Ireland. Let nothing ever discourage us in preaching the gospel or supporting the spread of the gospel. It us also very important that we let go of the sufferings of the past and forgive those who caused it, so that we can enjoy the future.

Lord, help me to forgive those who have hurt me, so that I can fully do your will. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie MSP

Monday, March 15, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 4 of Lent - March 16, 2021

TUESDAY 16TH MARCH 2021

FOURTH WEEK OF LENT

Ezekiel 47:1-9,12

John 5:1-3,5-16

GOD WORKS THROUGH THE NATURAL ELEMENTS HE CREATED

When we hear of some elements God has used to reach out to human beings, we may wonder how those elements began to have powers. When God decides to dedicate something for himself, he makes the place or element holy and powerful. Example of this is the holy pictures and places dedicated to God. Places of apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the saints have become holy places.

In the gospel reading of today, we see that the Jews had such a holy place which happened to be a pool of water. An angel of God stirs the water and whoever is sick and is able to get inside the water will be cured. Many sick people are either not there when the angel stirs the water, or do not have anyone to carry them inside the water. The crippled man who met Jesus in the gospel reading of today at the pool, had waited 38 years to be cured and no one could help him. The Jews did not know when Jesus came around and cured him, but when they saw the man carrying the mat that he had used to sit close to the pool, they accused the man of working on the sabbath. It is very surprising how hypocritical they were. The cure of the man could have called for celebration, but the Jews seemed to be sadists.

The cure of the man also became another point to crucify Jesus because he performed a miracle on the sabbath day. Do you get angry when good things happen to others? Do you hold on to the law so tenaciously to the detriment of human dignity and wellbeing?

Lord, help us to know your ways and seek the good of others. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 4 of Lent - March 15, 2021

MONDAY 15th March 2021

4TH WEEK OF LENT

Isaiah 65:17-21

John 4:43-54

HOW STRONG IS YOUR FAITH?

It is one thing to pray, and it is another to believe that God has answered our prayer. Jesus had been moving round the surrounding countryside, he had just returned from Samaria to Galilee, and he went to Cana where he had earlier changed water into wine.

The court official who came to Jesus today, may have only heard that the same person who had changed water into wine and had worked miracles in other places was in Cana. The man made a long journey from Capernaum to Cana to see Jesus to heal his son. Jesus was tired after the journey from  Samaria, and did not want to make the journey again to Capernaum. Showing his power and authority over everything, Jesus healed the son without even seeing or touching him.

The faith of the court official is very worthy of emulation. I can only imagine how he felt after travelling for 10 miles from Capernaum to Cana, only to be told by Jesus to return home that his son has been healed. The official had not verified that his son was truly healed, there was to mobile phone to call home, but with faith, he went back home to find the situation exactly as Jesus had said. Jesus had cured his son from afar. Do we truly believe that God will answer us when we pray? Only with faith will our prayers be answered. God help us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Friday, March 12, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Saturday Week 3 of Lent - March 13, 2021

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Hosea 5:15-6:6

Luke 18:9-14

WE ARE SINNERS IN NEED OF GOD'S MERCY

Someone walked up to me recently to ask for prayers, saying that he knows that he is righteous in the sight of God because he attends mass everyday, he pays his tithe, prays every day, he fasts and is not guilty of any of the commandments. Despite all these spiritual achievements, things seem not to be easy for him. As he finished speaking, I could see pride written all over him, in fact, spiritual pride. When we are too conscious of all the good things we have done and the sacrifices we have made, we become too proud and forget what we have not done, and that it was not by our power that we achieved them.

The man who came to Jesus today, recounted with pride, all that he has done, especially in relation to God. This same man may not have shown any love to his neighbour. Moreover, if truly he fasts twice a week and pays tithe in all that he gets unlike the tax collector, does that mean that he is fully righteous? Does comparing himself with someone who does not fast or pay tithe make him ready for heaven?

There is no need to compare ourselves with others in our Christian journey. We all should like the tax collector always be conscious that we are sinners and ready to ask God for forgiveness.

Lord, have mercy on us poor sinners, our hope is in you. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Friday Week 3 of Lent - March 12, 2021

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Hosea 14:2-20

Mark 12:28-34

LOVE, LOVE AND LOVE

The word love is very prominent in christian vocabulary. It is one of the words that appears many times in the bible, both in the Old and New Testament. The creation  of man was out of love, the coming of Jesus to our world was out of love and the entire life of Jesus here on earth was out of love. Love is not just a word, but an expression of God himself.

In the gospel reading of today, Jesus made us to understand that though he had given us laws to know what and what not to do, love is the central force of all the laws. Without love, there is no life. One who loves does not sin. Sin is as a result of lack of love for God and our neighbours. The scribe who came to Jesus today wanted to know the greatest commandment in the law, but Jesus was looking at the overall human relationship.

Ou first duty as Christians is to love God, secondly, to love our neighbours. St Paul, telling us what love is in 1 Cor 13:4-8, says that love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous; love is not boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but finds its joy in the truth. Love is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope and to endure whatever comes. Love never comes to an end. St Peter also tells us to keep fervent in our love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8) Love is the answer.

Lord help me to love. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Thursday Week 3 of Lent - March 11, 2021

THURSDAY 11TH MARCH 2021

JEREMIAH 7:23-28

LUKE 11:14-23

EVERY KINGDOM DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND

It is said that the best way to fight a group of people is to look for a dividing factor among them. In our various societies, we see a lot of division along political, ethnic and religious lines. We criticize and condemn one another, thinking that we will get more accolades in doing so. We fight ourselves and try to outsmart the other for no good reason.

As Jesus was being accused of using evil power to drive out evil, he states clearly that evil cannot drive out evil, only good can correct evil. It is his union with the father that gave him the power and authority to cast out demons. Many people have tried to achieve something good by evil means, it certainly does not end well.

We are therefore called by Jesus today, to be united with God our father; only by doing this can we drive evil far away from us.

In the first reading, God tells us through the prophet Jeremiah that our failure to do what he has commanded us despite his word that we hear everyday, has made many of us not to run away from evil. Be united with God today, and the devil will run away from you.

Lord, help us to be United with you, so as to be able to drive evil far away for us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie  MSP.

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Wednesday Week 3 of Lent - March 10, 2021

WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH 2021

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

Deuteronomy 4:1,5-9

Matthew 5:17-19

OBEY THE LAWS OF GOD BY SHOWING LOVE

Laws are very important for the smooth running of the society, without laws, the world will be in chaos and nothing will work. It is the same with the practice of the Christian faith. God saw that the people of Israel needed laws to guide them, thus he gave moses the 10 commandments. The pharisees even went further to interpret and expand the laws into 613. This made the Jews overly conscious of their life and what they did, so as not to offend God by breaking the law.

When Jesus began to preach the message of love, they thought that he was against the laws,  but he sounded clearly that he had come to complete and perfect the law with love. One who does not love, does not obey the law, the one who loves has already obeyed the laws. By love, we will communicate what it means to obey the law. Those who do not love have not only broken the law, they have also led others astray.

Lord help us to obey you by proving others. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Tuesday Week 3 of Lent - March 9, 2021

TUESDAY 9TH MARCH 2021

3RD WEEK OF LENT

Daniel 3:25,34-43

Matthew 18:21-35

GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU, BE MERCIFUL TO OTHERS

The feeling of mercy and compassion towards other people can only be expressed by those who know what it means to be in the situation of the other person.

Sometimes when I get angry due to what someone has done to me or how others have treated me, I remember the fact that I have done similar or worse things to others in the past and they had forgiven me.

This is why as human beings, we should be able to identify with the struggles of others because we are not perfect ourselves. This reminds me of the words of the author of the letter to the Hebrews in talking about human weaknesses. He said that every high priest is taken from among human beings and is appointed to act on their behalf in relationships with God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can sympathise with those who are ignorant or who have gone astray, because he too is subject to the limitations of weakness Hebrews 5:1-2.

As I read the gospel reading, I keep wondering how it was impossible for the servant who was forgiven his debt of ten thousand talents, to forgive a fellow servant who owed him as little as 100 denarii. When we think of the sins we commit daily and we have not been condemned and destroyed by God, we will find it easy to forgive others as many times as they wrong us and are sorry for their sins.

As we hear from the prophet Daniel in the first reading, the Jews were at a time punished for their sins and they became an object of scorn because they refused to repent of their sins. An unforgiving heart is like that of the devil. Jesus tells us that just as the unforgiving servant was dealt with, God will also throw out all those who refuse to forgive from their hearts. Many people are on their way to hell because of the grudges, anger and resentment they carry in their hearts.

Lord, help us to be in touch with our weaknesses and sins so as to be able to understand and forgive others when they wrong us. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP

Sunday, March 7, 2021

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for Monday Week 3 of Lent - March 8, 2021

MONDAY 8TH MARCH 2021

THIRD WEEK OF LENT

2 Kings 5:1-15

Luke 4:24-30

THINK BEYOND YOURSELF

Sometimes we believe too much in our talents and possessions that we forget God. A footballer may be very skillful to the extent of thinking that there is no need to pray anymore. One can be very rich and think that money can do everything and thus no need for God.

In the first reading of today, we see Naaman an army commander who trusted too much in his position and power that he did not know God. He explored all options to cure his leprosy except recourse to God. When the Jewish slave suggested that he seek the prophet in Israel, he refused and the only move he made was for his king to write to the king of Israel that Naaman should be cured. He also refused to bathe in the Jordan as commanded by the prophet Elisha. All these show that he was never a man of faith but one who believed in his own efforts.

It is very important that we know that there are many things we cannot achieve on our own despite our physical strength, intelligence, wealth and connections. Let us therefore humble ourselves and heed the voice of the prophet.

Lord, help us to look up to you instead of our capabilities. Amen.

Fr Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP.

Fr. Michael Osatofoh Eninlejie, MSP - Homily for the Seventh Sunday of Easter- May 16, 2021

 SUNDAY 16TH MAY 2021 SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Acts 1:15-17,20-26 Psalm 102:1-2,11-12,19-20 1 John 4:11-16 John 17:11-19 THE HOL...